LONDON (Reuters) - Pilots at Virgin Atlantic voted on Friday to work to rule from Dec. 23 in a dispute over sole recognition of their union, the latest round of industrial action to threaten Christmas holiday air travel.

British Airways cabin crew voted on Wednesday to strike this month while baggage handlers will be walking out for two days from next Friday.

Over half of Virgin Atlantic's around 900 pilots are represented by the Professional Pilots' Union (PPU).

The PPU said in a statement the ballot turnout was 80.3percent, with88.6percent voting infavorof industrial action.